Airbus Helicopters Inc., the leading provider of helicopters to the U.S. air medical transport industry, is pleased to announce that Air Methods Corp. has acquired three new helicopters of the Airbus H145-family that will replace older aircraft now in service.

Two of the aircraft will be used by St. Louis Children’s Hospital and one will be for Virginia Commonwealth University Health System based in Richmond. Air Methods will own and operate the aircraft for both hospital systems.

VCU Health is replacing one of the EC135P2+e aircraft in its fleet because it wanted a larger helicopter capable of greater payload and longer range. St. Louis Children’s Hospital selected the H145-family aircraft as the most capable to replace their fleet of BK117s, thanks to its leading safety features and spacious cabin.

Completion will include interiors capable of seating up to four attendants; both helicopters are expected to be in service in the spring of 2017.

“All of us at Airbus Helicopters appreciate that Air Methods and its clients, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, have selected these H145-family aircraft to continue providing life-saving services,” said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. “Our entire team stands ready to provide round-the-clock support as you put these aircraft into service.”

The Airbus H145-family leads class among light twin-engine helicopters, incorporating Airbus Helicopters’ advanced cockpit design, avionics, and a sophisticated electrical system. Payload and range, along with its large cabin, allow for the transport of medical teams and special medical care equipment.

The aircraft’s combination of speed and performance, along with its high-set main and tail rotors, large cabin and rear-loading clamshell doors, has made it the helicopter of choice for many air medical programs in the U.S. and worldwide.

Based in Englewood, Colorado, Air Methods has grown to become the most experienced air medical operator in the industry, operating more than 300 bases in 48 states.